Author: Nanditha Krishna
Publisher: Vakils, Freffer & Simons
Year: 2000
Language: English
Pages: 114
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8187111461
Description
With rare photographs of the God, his gold and diamond jewelry, this book is a collection of the folk legends about Venkateshwara, the sacred Tirumala hills, and the beautiful rituals and festivals associated with him.
The temple of Balaji or Venkateshwara on Tirumala hill above the town of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh has become a focal point of contemporary religion in India, attracting crowds of all ages, faiths, and nationalities. However, not much is known about the God, except his ability to answer prayers and perform the most improbable miracles. Not many people are aware that the sanctity of the God, and the hill is over two thousand years old. What makes the temple so popular, and what are the beliefs of the people, are questions that this book has tried to answer.
This book is a collection of the folk legends about Venkateshwara, the sacred Tirumala hill and its many lakes and waterfalls, his miracles, and the beautiful rituals and festivals associated with him. He is a manifestation of Vishnu, the Preserver, and his association with the other incarnations is well documented.
There are rare photographs of the God, his gold and diamond jewelry, the various other bronzes and sculptures contained in the temple and the images of the festivals for which Tirumala has been famous from time immemorial. The illustrations of the stories have been executed in the Tirupati style of drawing.
This book would be of equal interest to the general reader, the scholar and the devotee, and a valuable addition to every home and library.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Preface
CHAPTER I
The Lord of Tirumala
CHAPTER II
Legends of Venkatesha
CHAPTER III
The Sacred Hill
CHAPTER IV
The Sacred Tank and Holy Waters
CHAPTER V
Vishnu - Narayana
CHAPTER VI
Incarnations and Manifestation of Vishnu - Narayana
CHAPTER VII
Origin, History and Administration of the Temple
CHAPTER VIII
Images of Lord Venkateshwara and Other Deities
CHAPTER IX
The Temples of Tirumala, Tirupati and Tiruchanur
CHAPTER X
Rituals and Offerings
CHAPTER XI
Prayers to Balaji - Venkateshwara
CHAPTER XII
The Relevance of Balaji - Today
Glossary
Bibliography